Application of leD Method for Determining the Severity of Desertification in Koohdasht Watershed

Desertification has recently been in various ways discussed in scientific and research centers at
universal, regional and national levels. Vast attempts have been made to control it. Its control is
undoubtedly indispensable, because if desertification occurs in one part of the world, the consequences
would be devastating to inhabitants all over the world. Access to knowledge of vulnerability and
susceptibility of areas to desertification is the first step that must be taken to combat the phenomenon.
From among the many methods of identification of areas susceptible to desertification the Iranian
Classification of Desertification (lCD) was chosen. Based upon ICD the map for the present status of
desertification for Koohdasht basin with an area of 45600 ha was prepared. The environmental cause,
human cause, influencing factors, type of process, the predominating criteria and indices, as well as the
class of desertification intensity were determined for the basin. Results indicate that desertification of
the area accompanied by land destruction of the area accompanied by land destruction of average
intensity has started and is continuing. Among the expediting factors to be named are: underground
water withdrawal through pumping which has resulted in a deeper underground water, and a
destruction of plant and vegetation through either a change of land use from its natural state to urban
development of overgrazing of the mgelands.